The idea of teaching seemed so far off from what I thought I wanted to become when I was younger. I watched my dad my entire life teach high school physical education, coach football and baseball, become the high school athletic director and finally an elementary school principal. I always knew something about what he did was special, but it appeared to me at the time, uneventful. As I have grown older, have had children of my own, gained many life experiences, and have collaborated with my own children's teachers, I now truly understand the meaning and role of the professional teacher. I know this is the path I was supposed to find and travel. When I reflect back on our first class discussion about why each of us wants to teach, it is incredible how varied each of our responses are to the question. We get into teaching for a variety of reasons, but our ultimate goal is always to make a difference in the life of a child and evoke excitement and motivation to learn our content area and to nurture their desire for lifetime learning. I saw this motivational clip on YouTube and thought it said perfectly what it is in my heart and mind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=1tN1U0uu2e4.
Just as there are varying reasons for individuals to choose teaching, there are a variety of teaching styles and student learning styles. I want my methodology to be based on discovery and inquiry learning. I want to learn how to better incorporate this type of teaching into my lesson plan and ensure I am meeting the needs of the differing learning styles. I understand that there are many factors that contribute to how a child learns and to what degree the child will have strengths and weaknesses in certain areas. With that being said, I would like to reference the idea of differentiation of instruction. This idea calls for me, as the teacher, to meet the student where they are. This concept calls for the teacher to learn where the student's strengths and weaknesses lie and adapt and accept them to help each student learn and grow (Powell, 2011, p. 204). My ultimate goal in this class, is to understand the way children think and learn and use this knowledge to incorporate these concepts into my lesson and activity. I want a cooperative, hands on, and fun learning environment that reaches everybody. I believe this class will enable me to better myself in these areas so I can be a successful teacher.
Powell, S. (2011). The Eighth Chapter. Introduction to Middle School (p. 204). Massachusetts: Pearson Education, Inc.
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